Department for Transport

London-Portsmouth Railway Line

Earl Attlee: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the holders of the South Western Railway franchise regarding the operation of the London to Portsmouth line; and when they expect that timetable to return to pre-pandemic regularity.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: South Western Railway will introduce a new timetable from Monday 21st February, which will reinstate services to pre-Omicron levels including the London to Portsmouth line. This follows reducing numbers of Omicron-related staff shortages and growing numbers of passengers returning to the railway.

Railways: Greater London

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect (1) long-distance, and (2) commuter, train services into London mainline stations to reach the levels they were at prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Following the move to Plan A and in anticipation of the lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions, the Department will be working closely with train operators to develop a passenger offer that it is fit for the future, and carefully balances capacity and performance, while protecting the public purse.

Cabotage: EU Countries

The Earl of Clancarty: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the EU about an exemption from cabotage rules for UK-based performing arts organisations touring in the EU; and whether the Secretary of State for Transport and the Director General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (1) have met, or (2) will meet, to facilitate such an exemption.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: During negotiations on the Trade and Co-operation Agreement, the UK requested special arrangements for the specialist events haulier sector, which includes UK-based performing arts organisations touring in the EU, but the EU did not agree to this. The Secretary of State for Transport and the Director General of the European Commission have not met, and there is no future engagement planned between them. We are however gathering the views from the public and affected parts of the industry on a proposal to support specialist hauliers by introducing a dual registration measure.

Leader of the House of Lords

Select Committee Reports: Debates

Lord Jopling: To ask the Leader of the House whatassessment she has made of the delay in scheduling debates for Select Committee reports in the House of Lords; and what plans she has to provide for the scheduling of Select Committee report debates on Fridays when the House is not otherwise expected to sit.

Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: We have debated 18 Select Committee reports so far this session, including most recently on 24 January. We have seen an increase in the number of committees, with the number of Sessional Committees doubling over the last decade and six new ones set up since 2020. The Government Whips Office will continue to work closely with the Usual Channels and the Committee Office to schedule time for debate on reports as regularly as possible. This includes an additional Friday sitting on 25 February to debate committee reports.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Housing: Heat Pumps

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide a grantfor homeowners to upgrade their gas boilers to heat pumps.

Lord Callanan: The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which is due to launch in April 2022, will provide financial support for the installation of low carbon heat technologies in homes and small non-domestic buildings in England and Wales. The BUS will provide grants of £5,000 towards the installation and capital costs of air source heat pumps and £6,000 for ground source heat pumps.

EGNOS

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in the Space Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Programme to identify a replacement for the EGNOS navigation system; and when they expect a replacement to be operational.

Lord Callanan: The Space Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Programme explored a range of innovative options for strengthening the resilience of PNT services from space. The scope of the programme did not include identification of a replacement for EGNOS.

Fuel Poverty

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to mitigate against fuel poverty.

Lord Callanan: The Sustainable Warmth strategy, published in February 2021, sets out government’s approach to tackling fuel poverty in England. It is accessible here. Energy efficiency improvements remain the best way to tackle fuel poverty in the long term. Support for low income and vulnerable households is available through schemes such as the Local Authority Delivery Scheme and the Energy Company Obligation. Financial support to help toward energy bills is available through the Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payment and Winter Fuel Payment. In addition, a new package of support to help households with their energy bills was announced on the 3rd February which includes a £200 discount on household energy bills this Autumn for domestic electricity customers in Great Britain; a £150 non-repayable rebate on Council Tax bills for all households in Council Tax Bands A-D in England; and an additional £144 million of discretionary funding for Local Authorities to support households who are not eligible for the Council Tax rebate.

Department of Health and Social Care

Immunosuppression

Baroness Brinton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people in the UK are immunocompromised or immunosuppressed and classified as (1) severely clinically extremely vulnerable, and (2) clinically extremely vulnerable excluding those who are severely clinically extremely vulnerable.

Lord Kamall: The success of the COVID-19 vaccination programme has meant that shielding and identifying people as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) are no longer necessary. This is because the majority of those previously considered to be CEV will benefit from the COVID-19 vaccine. However, there remains a smaller number of people who, in spite of vaccination, are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19. This is due to a weakened immune system or specific other medical condition, which means they require enhanced protections such as those offered by antivirals and therapeutics, additional vaccinations and potentially other non-clinical interventions. Within this smaller group, approximately 1.3 million people have been identified as potentially eligible for Antivirals, and Neutralising Monoclonal Antibodies, as non-hospitalised treatments, and approximately 0.5 million people in England have been identified as severely immunosuppressed and therefore eligible for a third primary COVID-19 vaccine dose.

IVF: Standards

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government how the incidence of serious incidents disclosed to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, including where samples are mixed up or patient records are read incorrectly, compares to the frequency of serious incidents in other areas of medicine for which comparable records are available.

Lord Kamall: Due to the way in which data is collected on incidents by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and the National Reporting and Learning Systems (NRLS), it is not possible to make a direct comparison as both sets of data are recorded by separate bodies and the incidents are not recorded in the same way.The HFEA monitors all reported incidents in order to ensure that clinics learn from them and prevent re-occurrence. Overall, the number of incidents has remained at 0.6% per treatment cycle for the last few years. There are about 80,000 treatment cycles per year and there have been five grade A incidents, the most serious, since 2016.NHS England and NHS Improvement operate the NRLS, which collects reports of patient safety incidents from across the National Health Service. Patient safety incidents can be reported through a variety of routes by individual NHS staff, including through local trust risk management systems and web-based e-forms, including an open access e-form. Incidents are reported voluntarily.

Coronavirus: Medical Treatments

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many courses of (1) antiviral, and (2) monoclonal, antibody treatments for COVID-19 are (a) currently held by NHS England, and (b) secured via new contracts.

Lord Kamall: In December 2021, we announced the procurement of 4.25 million courses of oral antivirals, in addition to 730,000 courses previously procured. We have also procured 100,008 courses of the neutralising monoclonal antibody, sotrovimab.The National Health Service has access to other therapeutics, including remdesivir and Ronapreve. We are unable to provide information on the contracted volumes for other antivirals and monoclonal antibodies and the number of courses currently held in England, as this is commercially sensitive. Hospitals and COVID Medicines Delivery Units can order stock as required.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: Standards

Lord Rennard: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have madeof the capacity of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to achieve its core purpose of improving health and wellbeing by putting science and evidence at the heart of health and care decision making.

Lord Rennard: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the NationalInstitute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)'s capacity to continue producing respected clinical guidance, based on up-to-date medical evidence, in order to support the best health outcomes for all patients.

Lord Rennard: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support patients to access (1) new, and (2) cost-effective, medicinesas quickly as possible through robust oversight of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) processes.

Lord Kamall: The Department holds regular accountability meetings with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to review performance against its priorities and objectives, including consideration of any capacity issues. No current capacity issues have been identified. NICE will focus on key priorities, such as addressing health inequalities, providing recommendations where its guidance will have the greatest impact. NICE has recently completed a review of the methods and processes for evaluating clinically and cost-effective health technologies to ensure rapid access for patients, the National Health Service and the life sciences industry. This review will enable NICE to be faster, flexible, more responsive and transparent in supporting the health and care system and the life sciences industry and allow new and emerging health technologies to be available patients as soon as possible.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Sheehan: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' Protection of Civilians Report of 11–24 January, what representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning roadblocks and checkpoints placed on Palestinian village entrances and agricultural roads in the West Bank.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We continue to raise with the Israeli authorities the impact that restrictions on access and trade have on the living standards of ordinary Palestinians.

Mali: Peacekeeping Operations

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the current strength of UK forces in Mali; and what changes, if any, they will make to their military activities in Mali following the announcement by the government of France that it would partially withdraw its forces from that country.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK is committed to building long-term peace and stability in Mali and the wider region. Of the c.14,500 personnel that make up the UN Peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA), the UK deploys 300 troops. Separately, we also deploy four Chinook helicopters with around 100 troops providing logistical support to the French counter-terrorism operation, Barkhane.The Minister for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean has expressed concern about the increasing restrictions on UN Peacekeeping and international forces in Mali, and has urged all partners to continue working together to protect and support a better future for the Malian people. We are in close contact with our French partners about the implications of any decisions they make regarding their military presence in Mali, and we keep our deployment under continual review.On Thursday 3rd February 2022 the Minister for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean visited the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, where she met with the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Will Meddings, and Soldiers from UK Task Group, recently returned from their six month deployment to Mali. She was impressed to hear first-hand from our service personnel of the work that they had done to help bring peace, stability and normality to remote communities that face extreme violence, as well as the positive relationships that UK forces had built with other members of MINUSMA.

Burkina Faso: Politics and Government

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current political and security situation in Burkina Faso, following the military coup which ousted President Kaboré in January.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK is deeply concerned about the deteriorating security and political situation in Burkina Faso. As the Minister for Africa set out in her statement on 25 January 2022, the UK condemns the coup d'etat by military forces in Burkina Faso, and calls for the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all members of the civilian government who have been detained, including the President of Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. It is vital that all parties remain calm and respect human rights, and for Burkina Faso to return to democratic civilian and constitutional rule without delay. We are monitoring the political and security situation closely, and working with partners to encourage a swift, peaceful and constructive resolution to events. Dialogue between all parties is required to tackle insecurity across Burkina Faso, and respond to the needs of the Burkinabe people.Through our deployment to the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA), our deployment of Chinook helicopters to the French counter-terrorism mission Barkhane, and our programmatic support for stabilisation and conflict resolution, the UK is working to build long-term peace and stability in the Sahel. We also provide humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable in the region, including in Burkina Faso.

Ministry of Defence

Armed Forces: Russian Language

Baroness Coussins: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British nationals who are Russian speakers were employed in each of the last five years by the Armed Forces.

Baroness Goldie: The table below shows a count of British national Service personnel recorded on the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) MI System as holding a Russian language competence during their service in each of the last five years. This information was extracted from the JPA MI System on 2 February 2022. TypeCalendar YearAssignment Type20172018201920202021Regular200220230160160Reserve1001101005060Grand Total300320320210220 Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, numbers ending in five have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to avoid systematic bias. Totals have been rounded independently and may not equal the sum of their rounded parts.

Department for Work and Pensions

Sick Leave

Lord Naseby: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to restore sick note procedure to seven days rather than allowing workers to stay off work for 28 days without a sick note from their General Practitioner.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: This measure ended on 26 January. The government made changes to the self-certification rules for Statutory Sick Pay, so that for any sickness absences which began on or after 10 December 2021, up to and including 26 January 2022, employees were not required to provide medical evidence of sickness, such as a fit note, for the first 28 days of absence. This was intended as a temporary measure to quickly maximise GP capacity to support the coronavirus booster campaign. For new periods of illness starting from 26 January medical evidence can be requested from day 8 of a sickness absence.

Home Office

Firearms: Licensing

The Earl of Shrewsbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) delays in processing applications for the granting or renewal of shotgun and firearms licences and certificates in each constabulary, and (2) the reasons for any such delays.

The Earl of Shrewsbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a Temporary Shotgun Licence, issued as a result of delays in processing shotgun licence renewal applications, permits the holder to purchase shotgun ammunition.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: If a shotgun certificate due for renewal is automatically extended for up to eight weeks, then the certificate holder can continue to buy ammunition. Such an automatic extension is a temporary measure that can be used by police forces to help manage delays in processing renewal applications when a certificate is soon to expire. However, if a permit under section 7 of the Firearms Act 1968 is issued by the police force instead, new ammunition cannot be purchased.The processing of firearms and shotgun licences remains an operational matter for chief officers of police. The time taken by police forces to process firearms and shotgun licence applications will vary depending on factors such as local circumstances and the details of each application. Most recently, the Covid 19 pandemic has an impact on the time taken by police forces to process applications as the provision of relevant medical information by General Practitioners (GPs) has been delayed because of temporary measures taken by GPs to prioritise the vaccine booster programme over the Christmas and New Year period.

Social Media: Fraud

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to require social media companies to reimburse users who are victims of online fraud.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: We are deeply concerned about the growth and scale of online fraud, and the devastating financial and psychological impact it can have on individuals.The Online Safety Bill will go far in tackling the threat of online fraud and increasing people's protection from the impact of scams posted on social media apps and dating sites. This includes some of the highest-harm frauds, such as investment and romance scams.However, we recognise that more must be done and will consider all opportunities to better protect the public. We are committed to tackling those responsible and are working closely with law enforcement, regulators and social media companies to achieve this.

Money Laundering

Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the NationalCrime Agency's seizure of millions of pounds derived from the Azerbaijan laundromat on 31 January, what steps they intend to take, if any, against complicit shell companies registered in the UK.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Recognising the operational independence of law enforcement, the Home Office cannot comment on any ongoing cases.The Government is committed to reforming the role of Companies House and improving transparency over UK companies and property, to strengthen our business environment and combat economic crime.We announced our plans to reform Companies House in September 2020 and in 2021, we consulted on more detailed aspects of the reforms, and we will respond soon. The Government’s plans will deliver significant improvements to the integrity of the UK’s register of companies and assist greatly in the fight against economic crime. These reforms will include the identity verification of directors, People with Significant Control and those filing on behalf of a company, and new powers for the registrar to query and check information.We are also continuing to finalise the draft Registration of Overseas Entities legislation, which underwent pre-legislative scrutiny in 2019, to align with the broader reform of Companies House and our plans to verify the data it holds. We are amending this draft legislation in line with the committee’s recommendations.We will introduce legislation to implement the Register of Overseas Entities and the broader reforms of Companies House when parliamentary time allows.

British National (Overseas): Hong Kong

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the economic impact of migration to the UK under the British National (Overseas) visa scheme for people from Hong Kong.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: On 22 October 2020 the Home Office published the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Visa Impact Assessment, which set out estimated volumes of those who would take up the British National (Overseas) visa as well as indicative economic impacts. This estimated the route could have a net positive impact on the UK, benefiting the economy by between £2.4 and £2.9 billion over five years. It is available on Gov.ukOn 31 January 2022, the Home Office published data on the characteristics of British National (Overseas) visa holders, based on information submitted on their visa applications and the results from a sample survey. This is also available on Gov.uk

Visas: Overseas Students

Lord Johnson of Marylebone: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the ratesof fraud relating to the demonstration of proof of funds in international student visa applications, and (2) of the reported prevalence of fraudulent practices by rogue agents providing funds on a short-term basis, in order to assist students to meet the finance expectations and recycling the same funding to assist multiple students.

Lord Johnson of Marylebone: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessmentthey have made, if any, of whether elements of Canada's Student Direct Scheme, including proof of funds and deposit requirements, would improve the integrity of the UK visa system for international students.

Lord Johnson of Marylebone: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to assist universities in identifying (1) where in-country recruitment agents are failing to detect fraud, or (2) where agents are themselves engaged in malpractices, by publishing visa refusal rates by recruitment agent.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Government wishes to attract international students to study in the UK as they enhance our educational institutions both financially and culturally. The Student Route has robust safeguards to prevent the types of historic immigration abuse seen a decade ago on the previous Tier 4 route, with international students now being a highly compliant cohort. UKVI decision-makers can carry out verification checks on documents submitted with an application and may interview applicants to assess their credibility and intentions. Anyone who has used false documents, misrepresented their personal circumstances or practiced deception by any other means, will have their application refused and may face a ban on making further applications for up to 10 years. All policy, including around financial and credibility requirements, is kept under review. UKVI also carry out a range of activities to assist sponsors in maintaining the integrity of the route, allowing them to identify possible risks and establish best practice.

Horn of Africa: EU Immigration

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government what contributions they have made to the Khartoum Process (EU/Horn of Africa Migration Route Initiative) in North Africa in each year since 2014; and what assessment they have made of the effectiveness ofthat programme on curbing illegal migration and human trafficking.

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether UK funds contributed to the Khartoum Process (EU/Horn of Africa Migration Route Initiative) in Sudan directly supported the Rapid Support Forces, including former members of the Janjaweed militia, in their task of border management.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Khartoum Process facilitates a valuable Europe-Africa dialogue on managing migration, combatting organised immigration crime and addressing the effects of trafficking in the Horn and North Africa.While the UK was a member state of the EU, it made contributions to the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF for Africa) and the EU’s Better Managed Migration (BMM) programming which provided funds to the Khartoum Process.The UK's financial contributions to the Khartoum Process did not fund the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces.

Refugees: Afghanistan

Lord Moynihan: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Williams of Trafford on 26 October 2021 (HL2952), how many unaccompanied Afghan minors with family links to the UK have been resettled in the UK since the Kabul airliftof August 2021; and how many are still in Qatar waiting to be resettled.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Further to the written answer of 26 October 2021, of the group of sixteen children with UK based relatives evacuated to Qatar from Afghanistan, none are now in Qatar. Seven children have been settled with their families in the US and of the remaining children, they are either being settled in the US as they have no family able to safely accommodate them in the UK or are awaiting further assessment from either US or UK local authorities ahead of a final decision on where they will stay permanently.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Housing: Older People

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce financial incentives to make proposals for new housing care and support schemesmore attractive to potential (1) developers, and (2) providers.

Lord Greenhalgh: Funding for housing support services is devolved to local authorities through the Local Government Settlement. Local authorities are best placed to make decisions on what local services they provide, based on local priorities and circumstances.The Government provides capital grant funding to housing providers to help subsidise the new supply of affordable housing including specialist and supported housing. The new £11.5 billion Affordable Homes programme (2021-26) includes delivery within the programme for new supported housing for disabled, older and other vulnerable people.We also committed in the adult social care reform white paper (People at the Heart of Care) to continue to incentivise the supply of supported housing, through the Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund with £213 million available over the next three years. This is alongside a new £300 million investment to embed the strategic commitment in all local places to connect housing with health and care, to boost the supply of supported housing and to increase local expenditure on services for those in supported housing.As part of the Levelling Up White Paper, we have also now announced a new taskforce on the issue of older people's housing, which will look at ways we can provide greater choice, quality and security of housing for older people, and support the growth of a thriving older people's housing sector in this country.

Local Government: Haringey

Baroness Featherstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps, if any, they plan to take to ask Haringey London Borough Council to conform with the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity in the regularity of its magazine publications.

Lord Greenhalgh: The Publicity Code is statutory guidance that local authorities must have regard to when producing publicity, defined as 'any communication in whatever form, addressed to the public at large or a section of the public'. The Secretary of State has the power to direct local authorities to comply with the Code if needed.My officials are looking into concerns regarding Haringey Council's magazine publications, and a senior official will take up the matter directly with the Council's Chief Executive in the first instance.We will keep this matter under review.

Derelict Land

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to complement the £1.5 billion Brownfield Fundwith planning policies to support the creation of (1) homes, (2) jobs, (3) transport, and (4) infrastructure.

Lord Greenhalgh: The planning system is a key enabler of the Government’s wider mission to level-up the country and regenerate left-behind places. We’re committed to making the most of brownfield land, in line with our policies in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which sets out that planning policies and decisions should give substantial weight to the value of using suitable brownfield land.As set out in the Levelling Up White Paper, the planning reforms will include improvements to compulsory purchase powers to enable more effective land assembly, further support the re-use of brownfield land to deliver the homes and development this country needs, and adopt a more positive approach to employment land in national policy to support the provision of jobs. The NPPF sets out that transport should be considered from the earliest stages of planning to make sure that impacts, existing provision, sustainable transport, environment, and design are recognised and addressed. We are exploring the introduction of a new infrastructure levy which will enable local authorities to capture value from development more efficiently, securing the affordable housing and infrastructure communities need.The Government is continuing to consider what wider reforms of planning to pursue, and an announcement on next steps will be made shortly.

Flats: Insulation

Baroness Pinnock: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made towards achieving the voluntary contributions of £4 billion for the remediation of cladding from developers of blocks of flats between 11 and 18 metres in height.

Lord Greenhalgh: The Department has been working intensively with developers over recent weeks as it is essential that leaseholders living in their own flats in medium and high-rise buildings should not pay a penny to remediate historic cladding defects that are no fault of their own. We are clear that industry must develop a system to resolve the problems they have caused and pay to fix them. If they do not do the right thing and step in then, if necessary, we will impose a solution upon them in law. The Secretary of State recognises that other parties are also responsible for building safety failures and is bringing top cladding manufacturers operating in the UK into the talks. The Secretary of State is very clear on his expectations, and we have a process lined up to legislate where necessary if we don’t see the progress required.

Flats: Insulation

Baroness Pinnock: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk that developments of blocks of flats between 11 and 18 metres in height that used (1) special purpose vehicles, or (2) shell companies, for their construction could avoid paying towards the £4 billion cost for cladding remediation.

Lord Greenhalgh: Leaseholders living in their own flats in medium and high-rise buildings should not pay a penny to remediate historic cladding defects that are no fault of their own. We are clear that industry must develop a system to resolve the problems they have caused and pay to fix them. If they do not do the right thing and step in then, if necessary, we will impose a solution upon them in law.

Supported Housing: Departmental Coordination

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to set up a task force to improve co-ordination between different departments on housing care and supportpolicy.

Lord Greenhalgh: My Department works closely with the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Work and Pensions on both the quality and supply of all types of supported housing.In relation to older people’s housing, as part of the Levelling Up White Paper we have now announced a new taskforce, which the Housing Minister will chair, to look at ways we can provide greater choice, quality and security of housing for older people, and support the growth of a thriving older people's housing sector in this country. This work will be taken forward in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care, with the Minister for Care attending the taskforce panel and secretariat provided by officials from both departments.

Social Rented Housing: Insulation

Baroness Pinnock: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether registered social housing providers are eligible for grants from the Building Safety Fund towards the (1) removal, and (2) replacement, of flammable cladding.

Lord Greenhalgh: Registered social housing providers are eligible to apply for funding from the Building Safety Fund towards the removal and replacement of unsafe non-Aluminium Composite Material cladding. The circumstances under which registered social sector housing providers can apply to the Fund are:To meet the cost of remediation where a registered provider of social housing becomes financially unviable due to the cost of remediation.To provide funding equivalent to the amount which providers would otherwise be entitled to pass on to leaseholders including shared owners.Additionally, providers will be treated as other leaseholders where they have leasehold interests in private sector blocks – provided those interests are for the purposes of social housing. Guidance for registered social landlords on applying for the Building Safety Fund to cover leaseholder costs is available (attached) at:  https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/949885/200724_Social_Housing_Providers_Guidance_Note_for_Applicants.pdf Social Housing guidance note (pdf, 831.4KB)

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Commonwealth Games 2022: Coronavirus

Lord Addington: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether anyCommonwealth countries sending competitors to the Birmingham Commonwealth Games have asked for assistance with vaccinating their (1) competitors, and (2) officials, against COVID-19.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: DCMS and the UK Health Security Agency are working closely with the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee and Commonwealth Games Federation on Covid planning. To date, we are not aware of any Commonwealth Games Associations asking for assistance with vaccinations.

Football: Coronavirus

Lord Pendry: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Derby County Football Club and other football clubs, and (2) whether the implementation of the recommendations of the Fan-Led Review of Football Governance, published on 24 November 2021,could have helped to mitigate the financial difficulties experienced by football clubs during the pandemic.

Lord Pendry: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in light of Derby County Football Club’s financial situation, what plans they have to increase fan involvement in football governance; and what discussions have they had with the English Football League on (1) whether alleged financial mismanagement at Derby County Football Club could have been avoided, and (2) what the implications of this are for financial governance in football.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: The Government continues to engage on a regular basis with the English Football League and the administrator about Derby County Football Club. The additional financial impacts of COVID 19, to the club and to the wider football sector, were significant. We have supported the football sector throughout the pandemic, from the early return to behind closed doors, to provisions for international players and teams to honour their playing commitments, and more recently supporting mitigation for capacity crowds. Furthermore, we distributed over £25 million to National League clubs through the Sport Survival Package which ensured their survival.The final report of the Fan Led Review is a thorough and detailed examination of the challenges faced by English football now and in the future. Whilst the Government cannot retrospectively intervene, we intend to improve future outcomes for clubs and their communities. The Government welcomes the findings of the Review and has endorsed in principle the primary recommendation of the review, that football requires a strong, independent regulator to secure the future of our national game.The Government will now consider the detail of all the recommendations, including those made on improving fan engagement and ensuring future financial stability, and work at pace to determine the most effective way to deliver an independent regulator, and any powers that might be needed.

Television Licences: Fees and Charges

Lord Birt: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Parkinson of Whitley Bay on 31 January (HL5527), whether they will now answer the question put, namely, further to the tweet by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 16 January where she stated that “this licence fee announcement will be the last”, whether they intend this to be the last time the BBC licence fee is renewed.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: The Secretary of State’s announcement to Parliament on 17 January made clear that this was the start of the process and that no decisions have been taken at this stage.The statement can be seen on Hansard.